boxer Imane Khelif bursts into tears after securing Olympic medal 🥉

Controversial boxer Imane Khelif bursts into tears after securing Olympic medal with quarterfinal win

Algerian boxer Imane Khalif, who has been at the center of a major gender controversy, is assured of a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. The 25-year-old defeated Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori by unanimous decision in a welterweight quarter-final bout to reach the semi-final. Losing semi-finalists in boxing are awarded bronze.

“This is a matter of dignity and honour for every woman or female,” the 25-year-old Khelif told BeIN Sports after a second dominant victory in Paris, having dismantled her opening opponent in 46 seconds. “The entire Arab people have known me for years. For years I have been boxing in international federation competitions, they (IBA) were unfair with me. But I have God.”

Khelif will face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand, whom she beat at the World Champ­ionships in 2023 before being disqualified, in Tuesday’s semi-finals.

“It is hard, she has suffered a lot — as a child and now as a champion, she has suffered so much during these Games,” said Khelif’s coach Mohamed Chaoua. “Where is the humanity? Where are the associations for women’s rights? She is a victim.”